Women S Emerging Leaders

Women’s Emerging Leaders

Program Description

As a part of our mission to strengthen the community by building the capacity of nonprofits, HandsOn Northwest North Carolina (HandsOn NWNC) recognizes the importance and need for developing leadership capacity, especially among females who comprise the majority of the nonprofit work force. To help prepare, strengthen and support women for future leadership roles, HandsOn NWNC is sponsoring a 2 day Women’s Emerging Leaders workshop on May 3rd-4th, 2010. Targeted to mid level female professionals serving in Forsyth County nonprofits, the workshop will help participants develop their personal leadership skills, while addressing issues and perceptions traditionally unique to women, such as the choices and tradeoffs that many women face as they juggle professional and personal issues. The workshop is limited to 20 women and participants will be selected by a committee based on personal and work goals, work experience, and commitment to the public sector. Limit one application per organization, please.

Eligibility. Applicants must be mid level female staff (managers, program directors, program coordinators, and other professionals) currently serving in Forsyth County nonprofits, who are committed to public service and interested in gaining leadership skills that would enhance their ability to pursue leadership positions within their organizations or within the nonprofit sector.

Cost. The cost to participate in the program is $40. This fee represents a significant savings as the workshop is based on a program offered by the Center for Creative Leadership. Due to a generous grant from The Women’s Fund of Winston-Salem, the workshop can be offered for only $40/person. Checks for the $40 fee should be made payable to HandsOn NWNC and are due with the application by Thursday, April 1st, 2010.

Goals. Workshop participants will learn the essential elements of leadership, receive insight into their personal leadership skills and challenges, learn techniques to give and receive feedback, gain fresh perspectives and practical advice on how to tackle their personal leadership challenges, learn to make choices based on tradeoffs and rewards, learn how to overcome biases, and develop strong bonds with a new group of local female peers within the nonprofit sector that will provide future career support.

Application. The Women’s Emerging Leaders Workshop application must be submitted along with a letter on your organization’s letterhead, written and signed by the Executive Director, verifying your position with the organization and his/her support for your participation in the program. Completed applications and letters must be received by Thursday, April 1st, 2010. You may e-mail your application to and mail your check separately with a notation that the check is for the Women’s Emerging Leaders workshop. You can also pay online with a credit card via PayPal through our website at www.HandsOnNWNC.org.

Requirements. Participants will be required to complete an initial leadership assessment prior to the beginning of the workshop, complete an evaluation at the end of the program, and develop a personal Leadership Action Plan. Participants must also take part in a 6 month and 1 year assessment from the date of the workshop. The purpose of the assessments is to determine if the program has helped to strengthen the participant’s leadership skills/capacity and follow up with progress on the Leadership Action Plan. The participant’s supervisor/Executive Director will also be required to complete an initial leadership assessment of the participant prior to the workshop and participate in the one year assessment. Initial leadership assessments will be sent to the participant and her supervisor/Executive Director once the workshop participants have been chosen.

Application Review and Notification. A peer committee will review the applications and select the program participants. Program participants will be notified by Friday, April 9h, 2010. Applicants who are not selected to participate in the program will have their checks returned.

HandsOn Northwest North Carolina • 690 Coliseum Dr. • Winston-Salem, NC • 27106 • 336-724-2866

Fax: 336-724-4467 • E-mail: • www.HandsOnNWNC.org